Tajikistan Rural Water Supply Activity

TAJIKISTAN RURAL WATER SUPPLY ACTIVITY

SITE SELECTION PLAN

December 31, 2020

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Chemonics International Inc.

TAJIKISTAN RURAL WATER SUPPLY ACTIVITY

SITE SELECTION PLAN

Contract No. 72011520C00004

DISCLAIMER

The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States government.

Contents

Introduction ...... 1 Authorization ...... 1 Program Objectives ...... 1 Purpose of this Report ...... 1 Executive Summary ...... 2 District Selection Process ...... 2 Site Selection Process ...... 3 I. Background ...... 4 II. District Selection ...... 5 Initial Selection ...... 5 Selection Criteria ...... 6 Final Selection ...... 7 III. Methodology for Selection of Target Water Systems ...... 9 Water System Selection Process ...... 9 Preselection of Water Systems ...... 9 Capacity Assessment of Pre-Selected Water Systems ...... 10 Final Selection ...... 10 Annex A. Data Used for district selection ...... 11 Selection criteria and data source ...... 11 Basic socio-economic data ...... 12 Private sector development in districts ...... 12 Accessibility of target districts ...... 13 USAID and donor engagement in drinking water sector ...... 13 Annex B. Jamoat Questionnaire for System Inventory ...... 15

CLICK AND TYPE REPORT TITLE i Acronyms

DRS Districts of Republican Subordination EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EU European Union PPP Private Public Partnerships RRS Region of Republican Subordination RWS Rural Water Supply SUE KMK Khojagii Manziliyu Kommunali (national water utility) WB World Bank

SITE SELECTION PLAN ii

INTRODUCTION

AUTHORIZATION Chemonics International Inc. was contracted by USAID/Tajikistan (Contract 72011520C00004) to implement the Tajikistan Rural Water Supply Activity. The period of performance of the contract is October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2025.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The USAID Rural Water Supply (RWS) Activity aims to improve health and resilience in Tajikistan through increased sustainable access to safe drinking water in rural communities.

To ensure that access improvements are sustained, the USAID Rural Water Supply Activity targets three mutually reinforcing objectives: ● Increase access to safely managed drinking water in rural Tajikistan through the rehabilitation/construction of small-scale infrastructure projects. ● Establish reliable and commercially viable drinking water services through improved management and access to finance. ● Increase engagement of communities in oversight and accountability of drinking water service providers. Collaboration with local government, drinking water providers, and target communities will ensure reliable and sustainable drinking water services.

PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT The purpose of the present report is to lay out the methodology adopted by RWS to select the specific water systems that will receive construction/rehabilitation and/or technical assistance. This methodology employs two steps: first select districts and then choose water systems. RWS is considering several criteria to ensure that the chosen water systems, and the operational and management models they will become, end up being both sustainable and replicable.

This methodology was defined and is being used in collaboration with government authorities at region (oblast), district (raion) and jamoat levels.

SITE SELECTION PLAN 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY RWS is expected to work in a minimum of five districts and support a minimum of twelve water systems through construction/rehabilitation and/or technical assistance activities. RWS is expected to work in rural areas, thus excluding cities and towns.

DISTRICT SELECTION PROCESS RWS started by identifying target districts, aiming to cover the three main provinces of Tajikistan, i.e. Khatlon in the south, Sughd in the north, and the central Region of Republican Subordination (RRS). It was decided to select a total of six districts, two per province.

Nine districts were initially selected based on discussions with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management, SUE KMK and the State Institution "Tojikobdehot", as well as consultations with regional authorities and donors supporting the rural drinking water sector. The nine initial districts were specifically: • Jomi and Yovon in Khatlon province • Hissor, Rudaki, and Varzob in the Republican Subordination Region • Ayni, Isfara, Konibodum, and Panjakendt in Sugdh province

Based on further consultations with oblast and district authorities in Khatlon, Sughd and RRS, the nine initial districts were confirmed, with a tenth district, Gafurov in Sughd province, included for consideration. The following criteria were then used to screen all ten districts: • Density of rural population • Economic strength • Financial situation as potential for cost sharing • Population income as potential for financial viability • Potential for private sector engagement • Accessibility of target district from Dushanbe and/or Khujand (logistical and security considerations) • Willingness and motivation of district authorities to collaborate • Current access of rural population to drinking water services • Existing donor presence to support the rural drinking water sector

Each district was evaluated for each criterion using that scale, and it has been decided to finally select the six districts which received higher scores: • Gafurov and Konibodom in Sughd province • Jomi and Yovon in Khatlon province • Hissor and Rudaki in RRS This selection was validated in discussions with the regional and district authorities.

SITE SELECTION PLAN 2

SITE SELECTION PROCESS Upon selection of the six target districts, RWS has engaged district and jamoat authorities to conduct an inventory of existing rural drinking water systems. The inventory collects only basic information, such as location, served population, operating entity and functional status of the water system, along with contact information (see jamoat inventory questionnaire in Annex B).

Using the inventory results, RWS intends to proceed in two stages: - First reduce the number to about 30-50 preselected water systems based on several criteria (rural systems of sufficient size, owned by jamoat or government entity, preferably using groundwater, and at least partially functional) - Apply a detailed capacity assessment questionnaire (being developed) to collect information from those 30-50 water systems - Also assess the willingness of the served communities and corresponding mahala committees to collaborate - Select a final batch of 15-20 water systems, out of which about 12 will also receive construction/rehabilitation support.

The final list of target water systems will be shared with USAID by end of Q2.

This initial batch may be adjusted in the future based on the responsiveness of system managing entities, the engagement of the communities and the support of local authorities. Collaboration, cost-sharing or other leveraging opportunities may also guide RWS towards different water systems in future years.

SITE SELECTION PLAN 3 I. BACKGROUND The challenge at hand is to identify water systems that are serving rural communities (no towns and cities, which are served by SUE KMK, with urban systems being supported by several donors), but are large enough to be worth of RWS support (i.e. USAID investment) and be interesting for a potential private operator: - Served community should have at least 2000-3000 people, with preferably potential for expansion to nearby communities/villages; - Water source should be reliable and resilient (groundwater is preferable); - System should have some network and structures (at minimum pump, conveyor pipe and distribution standpipe) and some level of operational functionality as RWS rehabilitation funds are limited to $80k, about TJS 1M per system (e.g. old destitute Soviet water systems would be difficult and expensive to rejuvenate) - Etc.

The territory of Tajikistan is divided into three regions/provinces/oblasts: Gorno- Badakhshan (GBAO), Khatlon, Sughd and the Region of Republican Subordination around Dushanbe. These regions are further divided into 55 districts and 18 cities. Districts are in turn divided into towns (small urban settlements, shahrak) and jamoats/townships (dehot – rural areas with several villages): • GBAO in the east covers the city of Khorog and 7 districts with a total of 43 (rural) jamoats. • Sughd in the north includes 8 cities and 10 districts, 23 towns and 93 (rural) jamoats. • Khatlon in the south is made up of 4 cities and 21 districts, 22 towns and 133 (rural) jamoats. • Finally the Region of Republican Subordination (RRS) consists of 4 cities and 9 districts, 15 towns and 101 (rural) jamoats.

SITE SELECTION PLAN 4

II. DISTRICT SELECTION

INITIAL SELECTION We had pre-identified nine districts based on initial discussions with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, the State Committee on Investments and State Property Management, SUE HMK and the State Institution "Tojikobdehot", as well as consultations with regional authorities and donors supporting the rural drinking water sector. This pre-selection used the following considerations: • Significant areas with limited or no access to safe sources of drinking water • Sufficient population densities to achieve economies of scale • Consumer demand and willingness/ability-to-pay for drinking water services • Willingness to collaborate from local government counterparts • Strong entrepreneurial base, either in the district or a nearby urban center • No duplication of effort with other donor-funded drinking water activities

The nine initial districts were specifically: • Jomi and Yovon in Khatlon province • Hissor, Rudaki, and Varzob in the Republican Subordination Region • Ayni, Isfara, Konibodum, and Panjakendt in Sugdh province

SITE SELECTION PLAN 5 SELECTION CRITERIA Based on further consultations with oblast and district authorities in Khatlon, Sughd and RRS, the nine initial districts were confirmed, with a tenth district, Gaffurov in Sughd province, included for consideration. The following criteria were used to screen all ten districts: • Density of rural population • Economic strength • Financial situation as potential for cost sharing • Population income as potential for financial viability • Potential for private sector engagement • Accessibility of target district from Dushanbe and/or Khujand (logistical and security considerations) • Willingness and motivation of district authorities to collaborate • Low access of rural population to drinking water • Lack of significant engagement by USAID or other partner in drinking water sector

Each criterion is scored on a 1 to 3, 1 to 4 or 1 to 5 scale: Score Criterion 1 2 3 4 5 High population density, number of Up to 20 20 - 100 100 - 200 200 - 300 Over 300 people for one s.km Economic strength - production Up to 500,000 – 1,000,000 - 1,500,000– Over volume of products, goods, services, 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 in thousand somoni Finance situation and capability to Low Average High contribute to RWS 1300 and Population income, in somoni Up to 700 700-800 800-1000 1000-1300 over Potential for private sector Low Medium Dynamic

engagement as investors development development development Low access of rural population to Less than More then 65 60-65 55-60 50-55 the drinking water, % 50 Accessibility of target districts all No Low year long, from Dushanbe or Accessibility accessibility accessibility Khujand District authorities’ willingness and motivation in the project No Low High Very high implementation Development Partners activities in High parti- Medium Limited parti- No parti-

the district in drinking water sector cipation participation cipation cipation

Max score 37

Each district was evaluated for each criterion using that scale: (see table next page)

SITE SELECTION PLAN 6

/or

ators

District

to collaborate to

and and

by USAID or or byUSAID

score

donors

)

5 4)

- -

illingness

High population density population High (1 Economicstrength and Financesituation capability contribute to RWS to income Population private for Potential as engagement sector oper investors/ Accessibilityyear long, all and fromDushanbe Khujand authorities District w motivation (1 rural Lowof access the to population % water, drinking Lacksignificant of presence other Total Isfara 5 4 1 3 3 1 3 4 2 26 Kanibadam 4 2 3 3 3 3 4 2 3 27 Panjakent 2 5 3 5 3 1 2 4 1 26 Ayni 2 2 2 4 1 1 3 4 1 20 B. Gafurov 3 5 3 3 3 3 4 2 4 30 Yovon 4 5 3 4 3 3 4 1 3 30 A. Jomi 4 2 1 2 2 3 4 5 4 27 Varzob 2 1 1 2 1 1 4 3 4 19 Hissor 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 31 Rudaki 5 5 2 3 3 3 3 4 3 31

FINAL SELECTION Based on this assessment, combined with: 1) Intent to equally cover the three regions of Khatlon, Sughd and DRS so as to experiment in different environments and geographies and share lessons learned throughout Tajikistan in the future, and 2) Contractual requirement to implement in a minimum of five districts, it is proposed to select the six following districts (two in each of the three regions): • Gafurov and Konibodom in Sughd province • Jomi and Yovon in Khatlon province • Hissor and Rudaki in DRS

SITE SELECTION PLAN 7 The excluded districts include mountainous and low population density districts of Ayni, Pandjakent, and Varzob, along with the insecure district of Isfara.

Discarded districts # District Comments 1 Ayni District has low population density, with small and rudimentary water supply systems. The likelihood of private sector involvement is low and the potential for co-funding of projects from local budget is limited. Ayni and Panjakent are part of the Zaravshan Valley where EU is now providing over $ 28 million for drinking water supply and irrigation projects. 2 Varzob District has low population density, with small and rudiemntary water supply systems. The likelihood of private sector involvement is low and the potential for co-funding of projects from local budget is limited. 3 Isfara Possibility of funding of projects from local budget is limited. 9 out of 12 jamoats border on Kyrgyzstan. The increasing number of conflicts between Tajik and Kirgiz communities creates risks for project implementation. 4 Panjakent District has a low population density. Panjakent and Ayni are part of the Zaravshan Valley where EU is now providing over $ 28 million for drinking water supply and irrigation projects.

SITE SELECTION PLAN 8

III. METHODOLOGY FOR SELECTION OF TARGET WATER SYSTEMS A minimum of twelve water systems will be supported through construction/ rehabilitation/expansion works and/or technical assistance activities. Within the six target districts, RWS will be selecting 15-20 water systems for technical assistance, out of which about 12 will also receive construction/rehabilitation support.

WATER SYSTEM SELECTION PROCESS Upon selection of the six target districts, RWS has engaged district and jamoat authorities to conduct an inventory of existing rural drinking water systems. The inventory collects basic information, such as location, served population, operating entity and functional status of the water system, along with contact information (see jamoat inventory questionnaire in Annex B).

RWS expects most jamoats to be responsive but a small number may be unwilling or incapable to respond for now. It is expected that this inventory will be completed early Q2 and will identify and list about 300 rural drinking water systems.

Using the inventory results, RWS intends to then proceed in two stages: - First reduce the number to 30-50 preselected water systems based on several criteria (see below) - Apply a detailed capacity assessment questionnaire (being developed) to collect more information from those 30-50 water systems - Select an final batch of 15-20 water systems for RWS support.

PRESELECTION OF WATER SYSTEMS Using the inventory results, RWS will favor water systems that: - Serve rural areas (city and town systems are eliminated) - Are large enough, serving at least 2000 people - Are owned by the jamoat or another government entity (PPPs cannot be legally established for now on village owned systems) or are privately operated - Preferably take water from a well as groundwater presents generally superior quality than surface water and requires less treatment - Have potential for expansion (population of village is larger then population served by system) - Are partially or fully functional (non-operational water systems will probably be too difficult/costly to restart, they would probably require more rehabilitation funding than RWS has)

We will also favor jamoats where authorities have been responsive in providing information for the inventory and are interested in collaborating.

SITE SELECTION PLAN 9 CAPACITY ASSESSMENT OF PRE-SELECTED WATER SYSTEMS After having pre-selected 30-50 systems, RWS will employ a capacity assessment questionnaire to collect information on these. This questionnaire will cover: A. General information (ownership, registration status, regulation, etc.) B. Technical information (age of system, water source(s), main infrastructure, type of connections, maintenance activities, etc.) C. Water treatment/monitoring D. Financial information (tariffs, billing/collection, revenues and expenses, etc.) E. Non-Revenue Water (technical & administrative losses) F. Customer care/management (customer list if any, communications with clients)

Note that the questionnaire is also meant to inform the future RWS capacity- building and technical assistance activities to these water systems.

In parallel, for each of these 30-50 systems, we will assess: - The willingness of the mahalla committee to collaborate - The willingness and capacity of the served community to pay for better water services and to cost-share - The potential to serve hospitals/schools - The potential to involve a private operator

FINAL SELECTION The final list of target water systems will be shared with USAID by end of Q2.

SITE SELECTION PLAN 10

ANNEX A. DATA USED FOR DISTRICT SELECTION SELECTION CRITERIA AND DATA SOURCE Table 1, districts selection criteria

Criteria Explanation Demography and economic High density of population, sustainable development/situation economic development support to the development of the private sector, increase the income of the population and provide access to drinking water for a larger number of community residents. Development of Private Sector Provide existence of pool of interested private sector entrepreneurs/potential PPP partners. Municipal/communal property, co-financing Municipal ownership for water supply systems and facilities, co-financing will ensure effective participation of local government in the implementation of projects using PPP mechanisms. District authority’s willingness to support the Administrative support, community mobilization project and contribution to implement projects (preparation of local degrees, provision of permits and other) Access to the drinking water supply Priority to zones with low access to the drinking water supply and sanitation, highly motivated communities Development Partners active in the district in Limited engagement by USAID or other donors drinking water sector in drinking water sector in the area. Other factors and potential synergies The geographical location and accessibility of the districts all year long. Possible synergies with other Development Partner’s projects. Risks.

RWS gathered information and data characterizing demographic, geographic, economic, financial status of districts (subventions from regional or republican budgets), access to drinking water, as well as localization of donor funded projects in initial districts. Most of the data came from the Agency on Statistics under the President of the RT, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, SUE KMK, PPP Centre under the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management, and Local Governments.

SITE SELECTION PLAN 11 BASIC SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA

Table 2. Indicators characterizing the initial ten districts (2018 year).

ing water water ing

District

Area, thousand square kilometers square kilometers Area,thousand people density,of # Population s.km. one for Summaryeconomic of indicators somoni thousand in amounts, services,goods, capital (products, investments) or Oblast from Subventions Republicanbudgets Averagesalary, somon to rural Access of population % water, drinking all districts Accessibilitytarget of or yearlong, Dushanbe from Khujand and willingness authorities District project inmotivationthe implementation active in Partners Development drink in district the sector Isfara 0,8 337 1987900,0 N/a 917 54.8 Mean High Mean Very Kanibadam 0.8 260.5 N/a 830 63.1 High Mean 1013850,0 high Panjakent 3.67 80.2 3165100,0 N/a 1336 50.6 Low Low High Ayni 5.2 15.8 1214800,0 N/a 1244 51.1 Low High High B. Gafurov 2,65 138,6 3394300,0 N/a 945 61,4 High High Low High Very Yovon 0.9 254 N/a 1171 66.7 Low 2669665,0 high High Very A. Jomi 0.6 286 Yes 754 45.4 Low 561000,0 high Mean Very Varzob 1.7 50.3 Yes 917 59.6 Low 329451,0 High High Very Hissor 1.0 280 N/a 843 54.8 Low 1676100,0 high Rudaki 1.8 301.6 2158660,0 N/a 959 53.9 High High Mean

PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN DISTRICTS It is characterized in 10 districts as follows (period of 2019): • Ayni – low development • Isfara – dynamic development • Kanibadam – dynamic development • Panjakent – dynamic development • B. Gafurov - dynamic development • A. Jomi – medium development • Yovon – dynamic development • Varzob – low development • Rudaki – dynamic development • Hissor – dynamic development

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ACCESSIBILITY OF TARGET DISTRICTS Table 3, Accessibility of target districts all year long Distance to Accessibility of target # District Comments Dushanbe/Khujand districts all year long RWS Least access of mountain 1 Isfara 100 to Khujand representative/ jamoats in winter office in Khujand Сonstantly available for RWS office in 2 Kanibadam 79 to Khujand RWS representative in Khujand Khujand Сonstantly available for RWS office in 3 B. Gafurov 19 to Khujand RWS representative in Khujand Khujand High travel costs 4 Panjakent 236 Least access in winter. are required 5 Ayni 139 Least access in winter. 6 Yovon 59 Сonstantly available 7 Jomi 86 Сonstantly available 8 Varzob 32 Least access in winter. 9 Hissor 26 Сonstantly available 10 Rudaki 15 Сonstantly available

USAID AND DONOR ENGAGEMENT IN DRINKING WATER SECTOR Table 4, Projects carried out in the districts/Donors funding projects. Period of Executive # District Projects Donor Comments implementation agency Water Rehabilitation EBRD Ongoing SUE KMK Urban area of northern cities Rural water Completed, ISW, Local Rural water ISW (SDC) supply 2019 communities supply 1 Isfara CASA 1000, Rural water, Community WB 2020 -2024 Jamoats Health, Support Education Project Water supply Government Local in Shurob 2020-2021 Urban area of RT Government town Water Rehabilitation of northern EBRD Completed SUE KMK Urban area 2 Kanibadam cities, Phase 1. Rural water ISW, Local Rural water ISW (SDC) Planned, 2021 supply communities supply Consortium Rural water of Oxfam, 4 projects 3 Ayni supply and EU funded Ongoing German implemented/ sanitation Agro action, implementing CESVI Rural water Consortium 9 projects 4 Panjakent supply and EU funded Ongoing of Oxfam, implemented/ sanitation German implementing

SITE SELECTION PLAN 13 Agro action, CESVI Urban water EBRD Ongoing SUE KMK Urban area supply Urban water 5 B. Gafurov EBRD Completed SUE KMK Urban area supply 6 A. Jomi N/a Urban water 7 Yovon EBRD Ongoing SUE KMK Urban area supply 8 Varzob N/a Urban water Completed in Somonien EBRD SUE KMK supply 2014 town 9 Rudaki Rural water Oxfam and Urban and Supply and Oxfam Ongoing LG rural area Sanitation Urban water Completed in 10 Hissor EBRD SUE KMK Hissor town supply 2018

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ANNEX B. JAMOAT QUESTIONNAIRE FOR SYSTEM INVENTORY

Name of Oblast Name of District Name of Jamoat Page number for this jamoat:

Source Conditi Water system Water system Type of location Water system owner of on of manager: manager/provider water system Contact name & information (check (check (phone, email, (check one) Are owner (check one) (check one) Recent Location Number of one) one) etc.)

and donor

/name of people

# manager support

served

water

different?

(yes/no)

(min 1500)

system (yes/no)

ommittee 2 contacts if

city

City

River Other Other

village

Spring Private Private

District possible

township

City utility City

Districtutility

Farm (dekhan)Farm (dekhan)Farm

KMK(Tajikobdehot)

Well/borehole

Operates well Operates

Mahalla Committee Mahalla Committee Mahalla

Doesoperate not

Water User Committee Water User C Water

SUE SUEKMK(Tajikobdehot)

Jamoat communal utility communal Jamoat

Operates somewhat Operates

Public water organization Public water organization Public water

3 If using several pages for this jamaot, please number the pages at top right. If necessary, write comments on an attached sheet, referring to the page number, the system name and number (first column)

SITE SELECTION PLAN 15

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20523 Tel.: (202) 712-0000 Fax: (202) 216-3524 www.usaid.gov